PHILADELPHIA - A tragic airplane crash took six lives and left many injured, when a medical transport plane plummeted to the ground near Roosevelt Mall on Friday evening. The crash occurred just minutes after the Learjet 55 took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, en route to Tijuana, Mexico, transporting important patients and crew members.
At around 6:10 p.m., the flight, which carried pediatric patient Valentina Guzman Murillo, her mother Lizeth Murillo Osuna, and four others, met its disastrous fate. Sadly, everyone aboard the flight was killed, as was one person on the ground who was struck by the falling wreckage.
According to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, there were also 19 other individuals reported as injured, with some suffering serious injuries from the crash landing near the busy shopping mall. Video footage captured the horrifying moment the plane crashed, showcasing not just the intense fireball upon impact, but the subsequent chaos as residents rushed to help.
“We cannot confirm any survivors,” stated Shai Gold, spokesperson for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the company operating the ill-fated flight. The tragedy has shaken the community, especially as many echoed sentiments of disbelief and grief over the loss of lives.
The pilot, Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales, and co-pilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez were also among those killed. The medical jet had departed shortly before the crash, ascending to approximately 1,500 feet before it rapidly descended and struck the neighborhood. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator Bill Hicks confirmed the devastating details during a press conference, indicating the flight was airborne for less than one minute.
Valentina was previously treated at Shriners Children's Hospital and was en route home following her recovery process. Mel Bower, from the hospital, expressed the pain felt by all involved: “It's extremely hard and extremely difficult; those who were directly involved knew she was going home.”
After the impact, significant destruction unfolded as at least five homes caught fire, resulting in widespread chaos across the area. Local hospitals had to treat numerous victims suffering from the crash's fallout. “I mourn the passing of six Mexicans... My solidarity with their loved ones and friends,” expressed Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on the social media platform X.
The investigation is underway, with authorities stating the cause remains unclear. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, shared expectations during the press briefing: “The investigation will take days or weeks,” emphasizing the thoroughness required for such incidents. The NTSB is also utilizing additional resources as it concurrently investigates another air disaster nearby.
Meanwhile, debris from the crash has been strewn across several city blocks, drawing the attention of investigators and residents alike; anyone finding debris has been urged to contact the NTSB. The flight's black box has not yet been recovered, with hopes remaining about its conditions as authorities sift through the site.
Philadelphia officials responded to the community’s distress, ensuring shelters were established for those displaced by the fire and explosions, with state Governor Josh Shapiro expressing condolences on behalf of Pennsylvania as the city reeled from the double tragedy. “We want to offer our thoughts and our serious prayers for those who are grieving,” he remarked.
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly supportive, with neighbors expressing heartache and empathy for the victims and their families. Some residents, visibly shaken by the explosion, reported hearing and feeling the impact, describing the scene as akin to “an earthquake.”
This tragic crash reflects the vulnerability of air travel, especially as medical flights carry such urgency and life-altering consequences for passengers, families, and communities. Investigators are maintaining focus on collecting evidence and providing updates as new information emerges.
The horror of the event is still felt, and the families of the victims will undoubtedly be processing their loss for years to come, as the city of Philadelphia mourns alongside them.